A love letter to October, writes Disney Brar

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And then came October, and I fell in love all over again, a month close to my heart and soul, also my favorite time of the year.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M.Montgomery

From soft sunrises and misty fields to amber-hued evenings, October is the month of painted flowers, dancing leaves, soft, crisp, romantic weather, a melting-gold ambiance, sighing winds, fiery orange-kissed afternoons, and flaming red trees. The time when the aroma of pumpkin pies being baked wafts out from the city bakeries, silhouettes of lovers crunching through piles of leaves in the city parks make for a picture-perfect moment, fuzzy and hazy mists roll in through the Shivaliks, curls of woodsmoke rise from the chimneys of homes glittering with strings of fairy lights. It is the time of culling out sweatshirts carrying the smell of mothballs from the furthest recesses of the wardrobes, of savoring winter delicacies with rivulets of country-made white butter dripping out from the edges, of children plonking themselves on carpets of fallen leaves in the gardens of their homes, as their carefree laughter reverberates far through the October air. 

The whole energy of this month is infectious, with the festivals round the corner and the festivity lingering in the air. Even the city markets stand dressed and draped in festive attire, bedecked with multi-hued strings of colorful lights, while the city houses complement them, standing proud in halos of gold. 

Ahhh! The fragrance of October

October has also always been super special for me. Besides being the month that I was born in, October is special because nature decides to fall in love all over again with its existence in this month. The blooming of the Harshingar flowers (the night-blooming Jasmine) and the intoxicating fragrance of the Saptaparni (the Devil’s tree), just as dusk kisses the parting day and horizon in this part of the world, make it all the more special. In fact, there is a profusion of the Pink Silk Floss flowers in Chandigarh, which is painted magenta pink these days, with these silken flowers found passionately kissing Mother Earth as they lie strewn carelessly across the city sidewalks and parks.

The month literally stands embellished in golden and brown hues, with its inherent magic and mystique,  beckoning one and all to partake of its benevolent miracles. It is special in the way it drapes everything and everyone around it in a halo of rich, melting gold. It fills every nook and cranny inside people’s being with new hope, joy, and happiness. It pulls the soul from its slumber and caresses it back to life and living. 

What is it about October?

October is beautiful in many ways. The fallen leaves, the acorns, the flowers strewn lavishly across the parks, the deliciousness of the nights with a slight nip in the air caressing one to sleep. It is time for some warm embraces, misty dates, foggy walks, and tight hugs. For some frothy tales and crackling fires. Of slow waltz dancing in the kitchen with your beloved. Of autumns and the upcoming winters. The Time when the voices from the Ramlila crawl into bed with us. The time when the night air is impregnated with the mellow scent and the fragrance of the night Jasmine. The earth is wrapped in the colours of the fall. A month when wine bottles that gather dust all year long get ready to be mulled and cherished over cozy rendezvous and bonfire-lit dinners. In October, festivities abound not just around us but within us too. It is also the time when some lingering memories find their way back to me. 

Ohh…how I love October. And is this just a coincidence that with the onset of this month, I just landed my hands on a luscious book-Then Came October by L.E.Usher, named after my favourite month, from a flea market in the city? Well, I don’t feel so. The universe is at work behind this, as always. Cheers to the arrival of my good old friend-October, for all the reasons of my being and all the seasons of my heart. And last but not the least, the warmth of love around us always and forever.

Does your October sound and look the same?